turn (n.)

  1. a circular segment of a curve; a bend in the road; a crook in the path

    [ Syn: bend , crook , twist ]

  2. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program; he did his act three times every evening; she had a catchy little routine; it was one of the best numbers he ever did

    [ Syn: act , routine , number , bit ]

  3. a favor for someone; he did me a good turn

    [ Syn: good turn ]

  4. taking a short walk out and back; we took a turn in the park'

  5. the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course; he took a turn to the right

    [ Syn: turning ]

  6. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; it is my turn; it is still my play

    [ Syn: play ]

  7. an unforeseen development; events suddenly took an awkward turn

    [ Syn: turn of events , twist ]

  8. a movement in a new direction; the turning of the wind

    [ Syn: turning ]

  9. the act of turning away or in the opposite direction; he made an abrupt turn away from her'

  10. turning or twisting around (in place); with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room

    [ Syn: twist ]

  11. a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else); its my go; a spell of work

    [ Syn: go , spell , tour ]

  12. (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

    [ Syn: bout , round ]

    turn (v.)

  1. change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; Turn towards me; The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face; She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs'

  2. cause to move around a center so as to show another side of; turn a page of a book

    [ Syn: turn over ]

  3. to send or let go; They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion'

  4. to break and turn over earth especially with a plow; Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week; turn the earth in the Spring

    [ Syn: plow , plough ]

  5. shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel; turn the legs of the table; turn the clay on the wheel'

  6. change color; In Vermont, the leaves turn early'

  7. twist suddenly so as to sprain; wrench ones ankle; The wrestler twisted his shoulder; the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell; I turned my ankle and couldnt walk for several days

    [ Syn: twist , sprain , wrench , wrick , rick ]

  8. cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics; The princess turned the frog into a prince by kissing him; The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold'

  9. accomplish by rotating; turn a somersault; turn cartwheels'

  10. get by buying and selling; the company turned a good profit after a year'

  11. cause to move along an axis or into a new direction; turn your face to the wall; turn the car around; turn your dance partner around'

  12. undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; We turned from Socialism to Capitalism; The people turned against the President when he stole the election

    [ Syn: change state ]

  13. channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something; The pedophile turned to boys for satisfaction; people turn to mysticism at the turn of a millennium'

  14. cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form; bend the rod; twist the dough into a braid; the strong man could turn an iron bar

    [ Syn: flex , bend , deform , twist ]

  15. alter the functioning or setting of; turn the dial to 10; turn the heat down'

  16. direct at someone; She turned a smile on me; They turned their flashlights on the car'

  17. have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to; She called on her Representative to help her; She turned to her relatives for help

    [ Syn: call on ]

  18. go sour or spoil; The milk has soured; The wine worked; The cream has turned--we have to throw it out

    [ Syn: sour , ferment , work ]

  19. become officially one year older; She is turning 50 this year'

  20. undergo a change or development; The water turned into ice; Her former friend became her worst enemy; He turned traitor

    [ Syn: become ]

  21. cause to move around or rotate; turn a key; turn your palm this way'

  22. change to the contrary; The trend was reversed; the tides turned against him; public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern

    [ Syn: change by reversal , reverse ]

  23. pass to the other side of; turn the corner; move around the obstacle

    [ Syn: move around ]

  24. pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become; The weather turned nasty; She grew angry

    [ Syn: grow ]

  25. let (something) fall or spill from a container; turn the flour onto a plate

    [ Syn: release ]

  26. move around an axis or a center; The wheels are turning'

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.